, 1887-12-07

buIldIng commissioners, the superlnl end
ent, the accountant and steward, aud the
supervising architect. These different
reports, bound under one cover, Will
give You very full information on the
subject Of winch they treat. 1t viii be
seen that the result Of the expenditure OF
the appropriation OF Two years ago Is a
public building OF imposing appearance
and supplied with modern convehiences
for the comfort, health and safety OF the
unfOrtunates of the class of the insane
and idio,ic call your attention to the
recommendations made In the reports re
ferred to, which are full and particular.
TERRITORIAL UNIVERSITY. -
The report OF tho board Of regents Of
the territorial university, which ~ here.
with submitted, will be found to contain
full Information in regard to the condi-
ton and needs Of that institution.
/ call your attention to tho remarks or
the regents on university lands Every
step that appears necessary to protect any
OF the lands granted for educational pur-
poses should be taken, for these lands are
the most valuable heritage OF tho people.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
The report Of the superintendent. OF
common schools shows that there were
Al ,I3l children of school ago during the
past year and that four and one-haIf
months OF school we're taught on an aver
age in each district. The amount OF
are 1876 teachers now IN the territory
This report, which VIII be laid on your
desks, ~ fcpleto with Information in re-
gard to past and present history OF our
schools and is worthy Of careful perusal.
The common schools OF the country
should always receive the most careful
consideration and the most liberal treat
mont, Tor there is whore our youth are
furnished with the keys that enable them
to unlucK the doors Of all knowledge.
Education applied to Intelligence is what
makes good citizens and our institutions
Will be safe in the hands Of II people who
can read and think.
SCHOOL FOR DEFECTIVE YOUTH.
| call attention to the report OF the
board Of trustees OF the Washington
school for defective youth, which accom-.
panics tins message. IL describes in IA
very Interesting manner the workings OF
the institution under dlsa advantageous
circum stances. The inmates OF this
school and those whJ are entitled to be-
come inmates deserve great consideration,
because in an uneducated state they are
In ignorance and brutishness, while bav-
ing the capacity to receive instruction and
become self-supporting and happy. The
territory should deal literally with the
unfortunate,
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
The report OF the adjutant general
ti"nal guard. The latter organization
should he placed on n secure footing by
the enactment Of u law under which it
Will he possible to maintain II strict disci-
pine. body Of armed men, without
discipline is one OF the most dangerous
things that can bo devised. Military eS-
tahllshmeuts are mere machines, by
which the energies Of numbers Of men
are brought into action in obedience to
the will OF one, and unless they can be
so controlled, they should no. exist. All
officers and men Of the national guard
should he amenable tOa court martial.
An important matter mentioned in this
report II the obtaining credit mt the war
department at Washington for the consid-
srable sum due this territory from the
State OF Oregon FOR arms aud munitions
loaned during the Indian war OF 1877. Set.
Element Of this ciutm has long been de-
layed, and II would probably be of good
elect to meinorialiZc on the subject at
thus time.
INSPECTOR OF coal MINES.
The report of the inspector OF coal mines,
which is presented herewith, contains very
full Information in regard to the extent and
condition of our coal mines and the magn-
tudc Of the industry. On page IL, of the re-
port, vii be found some suggestions in re-
gard TO the present laws on the subject
which are worthy of attention. ltis especi-
ally important that the inspector should he
independent of the mine owners, as his
duty is to enforce compliance on
their part with the rules devised for the
safety of miners. The Importance of max
ing strict rules and rigdly enforcing them
can be understood by every one who has
descended into the mines and seen how en-
tirely the miners inside are at the mercy of
those who are On guard above. An INSULT
cient appliance or n careless man at the top
may at any moment cause the destruction
Of all those below.
| am inclined to think that overlooking
the mines of "A whole commonwealth and |
caring for the lives of thousands of men is |
too much responsibility to Tx upon one |
officer The laws might be amended 80 as |
20 make it the duty of the grand iury of !
each county to visit the mines in body or |
Il that should be thought too expensive, u |
ionuttec OF their number to Inspect the |
mines and report their condition to the full !
ury Tor certitcatiOn to the court, as in the |
'ase at the Inspection of jai's and other
public institutions. The grand jury is "A
popular body, it is always fresh from the |
people, and on account Of the method OF
Is selection uHd its varying and changing
constituents it is the most difficult body |
% control that is known to the laws. I |
,cIicve that good will result from investing
/ with these additional muctions.
RESTRICTION ON LEGISLATION.
There is an act of congress, approved July
80 1856 by which the powers of territorial
legislatures are very much narrowed. 1t
must be borne in nind, however, that legis-
alton on the subjects enumerated is not
prohibited II is merely provided that the
tatutes must be general in their applica
ion.
MINING AND IRRIGATION.
Owing to recent extensive discoveries of
iiines Of precious and other metals In the
erritory, necessity exists for the compla-
ion and adoption of code of mining laws
laws should also be passed regulating the
ise of water tor mining and irrigation pur-
,oses. Owing to the rapid settlemen; of
he country, conflicts have already arisen in
egard to these matters, and us rights be-
onie vested, the question assumes more
iificult shape every year. Ii laws are
'assed at this time regulating the whole
natter, much expensive litigation will be
voided.
CopIfiCATIoN Ot THE LAWS.
The laws. .of this territory owing to care
css legislation and decisions of the courts,